Compact, motorized, height-adjustable, software-controlled desktop system

ABSTRACT

An improved, height-adjustable desktop system that accommodates various postures including, but not limited to, seated in a chair at a desk, or standing upright on a floor, or various possible positions in between fully-seated or fully-standing, according to a user&#39;s preference. Systems and methods for providing computer-control for height adjustments allowing automatic or remote adjustment or both. The desktop system further providing minimalized footprint and upright design to allow placement in small spaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16/107,482 filed Aug. 21,2018 entitled “COMPACT, MOTORIZED, HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE,SOFTWARE-CONTROLLED DESKTOP SYSTEM,” which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/547,958 filed on Aug. 21,2017, entitled, “COMPACT, MOTORIZED, HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE DESKTOP SYSTEM”,the entire specifications of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Art

The disclosure relates to computer furniture, in particular, to acompact motorized, height-adjustable software-controlled desktop or amotorized standing desk converter.

Discussion of the State of the Art

As the computer has become a centerpiece of work and other dailyactivities, there has become a need for height-adjustable computerfurniture, in particular, a furniture system that allow for a user to gofrom a sitting position in front of a computer to a standing position infront of a computer with ease. It has been shown that sitting for longperiods of time can be harmful to one's heath. As such, these systemsallow for a user to continue to use a computer while changing his/herposition from standing from sitting, alleviating back pain commonlyattributed to sitting for long periods, for example.

In order to convert computer furniture from a position in which a useris sitting to a position in which a user is standing, various liftmechanisms have been used. One example is a manual, spring-assisted liftmechanism. However, such a manual mechanism requires a user to lift theportion of the desktop, a desktop which often has heavy computerequipment thereon. General examples of older systems include thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,079 and U.S. Patent Publication No.2008/0203865

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved, computer-controlled,height-adjustable desktop system that allows a user to achieve a desireddesktop height without manual adjustment. Moreover, as workspaces havebecome smaller, there is a need for a simple, minimalistic design thatallows the desktop system to be used in smaller spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the inventor has conceived and reduced to practice, in apreferred embodiment of the invention, a compact motorized,height-adjustable software-controlled desktop or a motorized standingdesk converter.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, A compactsit-stand workstation that easily rests on top of an existing desk,giving a user the ability to sit or stand while working in front of acomputer is provided. The workstation has an easy push-button electricheight adjustment that allows the workstation to vary in height. Akeyboard tray can hold a keyboard and mouse, while the rest of a user'sdesk can remain free for other objects. The keyboard tray has a durabledesign. Various monitor sizes can be used with this system and allows ortilt and swivel adjustment of the monitor.

The desktop system in accordance with the present invention generallycomprises a base plate, a keyboard tray, and a monitor mount assembly.An electric motor allows the keyboard tray and monitor mount assembly tomove up and down (away and toward the base plate).

The desktop system is unique in that it is compact and space-saving. Inparticular, the overall width of the system does not exceed the width ofthe keyboard tray. The width of the base is indeed smaller than thewidth of the keyboard. The durable steel sheet metal used allows thisstructure to remain stable despite its compact nature.

The base is trapezoid-like shaped, having a front edge, rear edge, rightlower and upper edges and left lower and upper edges. Front and rearedges are generally parallel, and right and left upper edges aregenerally parallel. Right and left lower edges taper in toward frontedge. Front edge is shorter than rear edge, creating a trapezoid-likeshape.

Connected to the base plate is the electric motor and vertical tube thatallows the keyboard tray and monitor mount assembly to move up and down.

Keyboard tray can slide in and out toward a user along fold down edgeguides provided along a flange, paralleling the base plate. A designatedslot hole is also provided in the flange to limit the pull-out travel ofthe keyboard.

Monitor attachment plate is attached to a connector bracket that canmove the monitor mount assembly up and down along guides. The monitorattachment plate can rotate in place. T-knobs are used to tighten andadjust a desirable position on the guides

Benefits of this system include, but are not limited to, its electric,vertical height adjustment capability, thin, space-saving design,durability and ergonomic and fatigue-reducing properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention according to the embodiments. It will beappreciated by one skilled in the art that the particular embodimentsillustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary and are not to beconsidered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claimsherein in any way.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a user interacting with a compact sit-standworkstation that easily rests on top of an existing desk and is raisedto a standing-height position, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a user interacting with a compact sit-standworkstation that easily rests on top of an existing desk and is loweredto a seated-height position, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating components of a compact sit-standworkstation, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a further diagram illustrating components of a compactsit-stand workstation, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a further diagram illustrating components of a compactsit-stand workstation, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a further diagram illustrating components of a compactsit-stand workstation, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a further diagram illustrating components of a compactsit-stand workstation, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardwarearchitecture of a computing device used in an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary logical architecturefor a client device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an exemplary architecturalarrangement of clients, servers, and external services, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is another block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardwarearchitecture of a computing device used in various embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 12 is block diagram illustrating a system architecture forprogrammatic control of a compact motorized, height-adjustable desktopfor a motorized standing desk converter, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 13 is flow diagram illustrating a method for processing sensorinputs for a compact motorized, height-adjustable desktop for amotorized standing desk converter, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has conceived, and reduced to practice, a compactmotorized, height-adjustable software-controlled desktop or a motorizedstanding desk converter.

One or more different inventions may be described in the presentapplication. Further, for one or more of the inventions describedherein, numerous alternative embodiments may be described; it should beappreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only andare not limiting of the inventions contained herein or the claimspresented herein in any way. One or more of the inventions may be widelyapplicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from thedisclosure. In general, embodiments are described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of theinventions, and it should be appreciated that other embodiments may beutilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and otherchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the particularinventions. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will recognize that oneor more of the inventions may be practiced with various modificationsand alterations. Particular features of one or more of the inventionsdescribed herein may be described with reference to one or moreparticular embodiments or figures that form a part of the presentdisclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments of one or more of the inventions. It should be appreciated,however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or moreparticular embodiments or figures with reference to which they aredescribed. The present disclosure is neither a literal description ofall embodiments of one or more of the inventions nor a listing offeatures of one or more of the inventions that must be present in allembodiments.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the titleof this patent application are for convenience only and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be incontinuous communication with each other, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with eachother may communicate directly or indirectly through one or morecommunication means or intermediaries, logical or physical.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Tothe contrary, a variety of optional components may be described toillustrate a wide variety of possible embodiments of one or more of theinventions and in order to more fully illustrate one or more aspects ofthe inventions. Similarly, although process steps, method steps,algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, suchprocesses, methods and algorithms may generally be configured to work inalternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In otherwords, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in thispatent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirementthat the steps be performed in that order. The steps of describedprocesses may be performed in any order practical. Further, some stepsmay be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied asoccurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described afterthe other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one ormore of the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustratedprocess is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once perembodiment, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that theymay only occur once each time a process, method, or algorithm is carriedout or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some embodiments or someoccurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a givenembodiment or occurrence.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of asingle device or article. Similarly, where more than one device orarticle is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a singledevice or article may be used in place of the more than one device orarticle.

The functionality or the features of a device may be alternativelyembodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly describedas having such functionality or features. Thus, other embodiments of oneor more of the inventions need not include the device itself.

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimesbe described in singular form for clarity. However, it should beappreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterationsof a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless notedotherwise. Process descriptions or blocks in figures should beunderstood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code whichinclude one or more executable instructions for implementing specificlogical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations areincluded within the scope of embodiments of the present invention inwhich, for example, functions may be executed out of order from thatshown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverseorder, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understoodby those having ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a user interacting with a compact sit-standworkstation that easily rests on top of an existing desk and is raisedto a standing-height position, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention. According to the embodiment, a compact motorizedheight-adjustable desktop system (interchangeably referred to as a“CMHADS” herein, for brevity) may be used to enable a user to modify theoperating height of a table, bench, or desk 2 to accommodate variouspostures including, but not limited to, seated in a chair 1 at desk 2,or standing upright on the floor, or various possible positions inbetween fully-seated or fully-standing, or even (in some exemplaryarrangements, not shown here for clarity) in a lowered position belowthe normal height of desk 2 to accommodate sitting on a cushion, futon,or directly on the floor, according to a user's preference. According tovarious arrangements, a CMHADS may comprise a number of attachments andaccessories that affix to or are integrally-formed as a portion of amain body assembly 5. For example, a peripheral tray 4 may be used toprovide a tray or surface (optionally parallel with the floor or at anangle to suit a user's preference) for a user to place a keyboard,mouse, drawing tablet, six-degree-of-freedom controller, gamingcontroller, or any other computing input peripherals or similar devices.A monitor attachment 7 may be used to provide mounting options for oneor more display monitors, so that a user may position and adjust theirviewing angles or number of screens in use to suit their preference. Forexample, dual monitors may be mounted to a dual-monitor attachment 7 (asshown below in FIG. 3) and their individual position and tilt may beadjustable, as well as the angle or spacing between the separatemonitors, or the tilt of an assembly overall (that is, a mounted pair ofmonitors may be tilted as a single assembly such that the displaysremain in-line with one another, as opposed to tilting individuallywhich would cause the spacing and alignment between the monitors todiffer from top to bottom). Additionally, a plurality of sensors orconnected devices may be affixed to, or used in combination with, CMHADS5, such as (for example, including but not limited to) a presence sensorand calculation unit 6 that may detect the presence of a user (oroptionally may detect, measure, monitor, or record additional data suchas a user's posture, physical characteristics, behavior or otherobservable information), or a weight sensor 3 that a user may stand uponto measure their weight or weight distribution (which may then be usedto detect, measure, monitor, or record the user's posture or movements).

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a user interacting with a compact sit-standworkstation that easily rests on top of an existing desk and is loweredto a seated-height position, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. In a seated-height position, a CMHADS 5 may provide mountingoptions for computer peripherals or accessories (such as monitormounting assembly 7 or peripheral tray 4), sensors and connected devices(such as presence sensor and calculation unit 6), or other capabilitiesto expand the functionality of a table, bench, desk, or other worksurface 2. When seated upon a bench, stool, or chair 1, a weight sensingmat 3 may also be employed (and optionally calibrated to accommodate theuse of chair 1) to detect, measure, monitor, or record the user'sweight, weight distribution, posture, or movements while seated. Forexample, by detecting small changes in the weight distribution of theseated user, their posture and movements at the desk 2 may be derivedthrough analysis of the sensor data, and optionally may be transmittedto software applications or hardware devices such as fitness trackers orpush notifications on the user's phone or computing device, so that theuser may be given feedback such as coaching on their posture, orreminders to stand up and move about after being seated for some time,or other such implementations.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating components of a compact sit-standworkstation, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.According to the embodiment, a CMHADS may comprise a number ofaccessories and peripherals affixed to, integrally-formed as a portionof, or used in combination with, a table, bench desk or other worksurface 2 or a CMHADS main body 5 (not shown here for clarity but shownpreviously in FIGS. 1-2). A monitor attachment assembly 13 may be usedto mount one or more computer display monitors 9 and may provide anumber of adjustments such as (for example, including but not limitedto) individual or combined height, tilt, angle, or rotation, as well asoptionally providing for adjustment of spacing or angle between each ofmultiple monitors when mounted. A keyboard tray assembly 15 may providea surface or tray for a user to place input devices or other peripheralssuch as (for example, including but not limited to) a keyboard 10 ormouse 11 (or Input devices 270), and may also serve as an additionallocation for affixing or integrating additional devices, sensors, orcontrols such as a hand-operated switch control assembly 12 foradjusting the height or other aspects of the adjustable workstation, orthat may interface with a computing device (such as via a standardizedinput/output port such as USB) to interact with software or hardware ordirect programmable functions such as user-defined macros or shortcuts.Height or other aspects of CMHADS may be controlled and actuated usingan adjustable structure 17 with an affixed or integrated piston, motor,or other actuator 8 for raising, lowering, tilting, rotating, orotherwise adjusting the position or orientation of CMHADS and thus anyaccessories or peripherals affixed or integrally-formed thereupon.Actuator 8 may be attached or housed within actuator seat assembly 16.For example, a user may use software on computing device or a handswitch control assembly 12 to direct the operation of actuator 8 toraise or lower the height of CMHADS so that mounted monitors 9 are at adesirable viewing level or angle, or may direct actuator 8 to adjust theheight between the bottom plate 50 (referring to FIG. 7) and main body5.

FIG. 4 is a further diagram illustrating components of a compactsit-stand workstation, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. According to the embodiment, a CMHADS may comprise a numberof hardware components and sub-assemblies for assembly and operation,that may be interchangeable or configurable to provide specific featuresor variations according to a user's preference (for example, providingmounting options for additional monitors or specific computerperipherals). For the sake of clarity, reference may be made herein tospecific hardware arrangements of components that may be configured foralternate arrangements, such as reference to a dual-monitor mountassembly 13. It should be appreciated that while reference may be madeto such a specific arrangement, these arrangements are exemplary and notlimiting in scope, as it will be readily understood that alternateconfigurations may be utilized according to the embodiment, for exampleutilizing a mount assembly 13 configured for a single monitor orconfigured for more than two. According to the embodiment, CMHADS maycomprise a structure that provides a rigid frame or backbone to whichother components may be affixed or integrally-formed for variousconfigurations and operation. An actuator 8 may be affixed to structure17 using mechanical fixing hardware such as (for example, including butnot limited to) a plurality of screws 21, nuts 22, washers 23, and/orbolts 24. A sliding or otherwise movable body bracket 14 may then beaffixed to actuator 8 using a plurality of fixing hardware such as aplurality of bolts 20, such that movable body bracket 14 may be moved ororiented by operation of actuator 8. A monitor mount assembly 13 (suchas a dual-monitor mount assembly as shown, though configurations may beused that are configured for other numbers or arrangements of monitors)may then be affixed to movable body bracket 14 using fixing hardwaresuch as a plurality of thumb-nuts 18 and carriage bolts 19. A pluralityof accessories or peripherals may also be affixed to movable bodybracket 14 such that they may be adjusted via actuator 8, for example akeyboard tray assembly 15 or a presence sensor and calculation unit 6.CMHADS may be affixed to a table, bench, desk, or other work surface viaa plurality of fixing hardware such as a plurality of low-profile bolts25, to provide a more stable or permanent workspace arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a further diagram illustrating components of a compactsit-stand workstation, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. According to the embodiment, a monitor mount assembly 13 maycomprise a number of hardware components or sub-assemblies for assembly,configuration, and operation. For example, a plurality of arm brackets31 may be affixed to an arm joint bracket 32 using fixing hardware suchas (for example, including but not limited to) a plurality of bolts 20,washers 29, or nuts 30. Each arm bracket 31 may then be furtherconfigured with a mounting plate 28 (such as, for example, astandardized VESA-compliant mounting plate for wide compatibility withcomputer displays, televisions, and other devices) that may be affixedusing, for example, a weld bolt 27, washer 29, and T knob 26 for manualadjustment along a slot 33 configured for positioning mounting plate 28relative to arm bracket 31. Arm joint bracket 32 may then be affixed toa movable body bracket 14 (as described above, referring to FIG. 4) viaa plurality of round or square holes 53 for accommodating fixinghardware such as (for example) a plurality of carriage bolts. Thisconfiguration allows for a wide range of adjustment of monitors mountedto assembly 13, including adjustments to the mounting angle of armbrackets 31, position or angle of mounting plates 28, or the position orangle of arm joint bracket 32 relative to a movable body bracket 14.This enables a user to fine-tune the adjustment of their display height,angle, and position to suit their preference or for improved ergonomics.

FIG. 6 is a further diagram illustrating components of a compactsit-stand workstation, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. According to the embodiment, a CMHADS may comprise a numberof physical dimensions and characteristics suited for a particularconfiguration or use, in addition to a number of hardware components andsub-assemblies configured to provide desired operation. A keyboard tray38 may comprise a mounting flange 52 for installation of a hand switchcontrol 36 using fixing hardware such as (for example, including but notlimited to) a plurality of mounting bolts 35 and cover 37, so that aninstalled hand switch control 36 may be firmly affixed to the keyboardtray 38 for reliable operation. Keyboard tray 38 may further compriseshaped physical portions configured to mate with suitably-shapedportions of a CMHADS body, such as using a slide bracket 39 having a Ushape 41 for mating to a mounting plate 51 by sliding keyboard tray 38into place and then fixing with suitable hardware such as (for example)a reinforcing plate 44 and self-tapping screw 34 for fixing in place ata desired position using slot 40 for adjustable positioning of slidebracket 39. As shown in detail B, a monitor mount assembly arm jointbracket 32 may be affixed to CMHADS body 42 using adjustable slots 43 toaccommodate a variety of height or angle positioning options, enablinggreater adjustability of viewing angles and operation height to suit auser's preference or ergonomic needs (for example, to accommodate usersof varying physical proportions, who may require different monitorviewing height or angle while using CMHADS at the same overall heightposition for seated or standing operation).

FIG. 7 is a further diagram illustrating components of a compactsit-stand workstation, according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. According to the embodiment, an actuator 8 may be affixed tobody portions of CMHADS to provide for manual or automatic adjustment offeatures such as height or angle positioning, by driving mechanicalmovement of CMHADS components or sub-assemblies. Actuator 8 may beaffixed to a bottom plate 50 of CMHADS body using fixing hardware suchas (for example, including but not limited to) a plurality of nuts 22,washer 23, or bolts 24 that may pass through a U-shaped bracket 47 tomount actuator 8 to a reinforcing plate 48, which may then be fixed tobottom plate 50 using threaded inserts 49 that may receive bolts 25 tomount CMHADS to a work surface such as a table, bench, or desk. Astructural tube 46 may be used to provide a rigid structural backbonefor CMHADS and may be affixed to actuator 8 at the top via atop-mounting actuator plate 45 and a plurality of screws 21. When fullyassembled, this provides a rigid and adjustable body for CMHADScomponents and sub-assemblies, wherein adjustment may be made byoperation of actuator 8 to direct the position or orientation of variouscomponents and sub-assemblies during installation, configuration, oroperation.

Control System Architecture

Generally, the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented oncomputing hardware or a combination of software and computing hardware.For example, they may be implemented in an operating system kernel, in aseparate user process, in a library package bound into networkapplications, on a specially constructed machine, on anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or on a networkinterface card.

Software/hardware hybrid implementations of at least some of theembodiments disclosed herein may be implemented on a programmablenetwork-resident machine (which should be understood to includeintermittently connected network-aware machines) selectively activatedor reconfigured by a computer program stored in memory. Such networkdevices may have multiple network interfaces that may be configured ordesigned to utilize different types of network communication protocols.A general architecture for some of these machines may be describedherein in order to illustrate one or more exemplary means by which agiven unit of functionality may be implemented. According to specificembodiments, at least some of the features or functionalities of thevarious embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented on one or moregeneral-purpose computers associated with one or more networks, such asfor example an end-user computer system, a client computer, a networkserver or other server system, a mobile computing device (e.g., tabletcomputing device, mobile phone, smartphone, laptop, or other appropriatecomputing device), a consumer electronic device, a music player, or anyother suitable electronic device, router, switch, or other suitabledevice, or any combination thereof. In at least some embodiments, atleast some of the features or functionalities of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein may be implemented in one or more virtualized computingenvironments (e.g., network computing clouds, virtual machines hosted onone or more physical computing machines, or other appropriate virtualenvironments).

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a block diagram depicting anexemplary computing device 100 suitable for implementing at least aportion of the features or functionalities disclosed herein. Computingdevice 100 may be, for example, any one of the computing machines listedin the previous paragraph, or indeed any other electronic device capableof executing software- or hardware-based instructions according to oneor more programs stored in memory. Computing device 100 may be adaptedto communicate with a plurality of other computing devices, such asclients or servers, over communications networks such as a wide areanetwork a metropolitan area network, a local area network, a wirelessnetwork, the Internet, or any other network, using known protocols forsuch communication, whether wireless or wired.

In one embodiment, computing device 100 includes one or more centralprocessing units (CPU) 102, one or more interfaces 110, and one or morebusses 106 (such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus). Whenacting under the control of appropriate software or firmware, CPU 102may be responsible for implementing specific functions associated withthe functions of a specifically configured computing device or machine.For example, in at least one embodiment, a computing device 100 may beconfigured or designed to function as a server system utilizing CPU 102,local memory 101 and/or remote memory 120, and interface(s) 110. In atleast one embodiment, CPU 102 may be caused to perform one or more ofthe different types of functions and/or operations under the control ofsoftware modules or components, which for example, may include anoperating system and any appropriate applications software, drivers, andthe like.

CPU 102 may include one or more processors 103 such as, for example, aprocessor from one of the Intel, ARM, Qualcomm, and AMD families ofmicroprocessors. In some embodiments, processors 103 may includespecially designed hardware such as application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and so forth, forcontrolling operations of computing device 100. In a specificembodiment, a local memory 101 (such as non-volatile random-accessmemory (RAM) and/or read-only memory (ROM), including for example one ormore levels of cached memory) may also form part of CPU 102. However,there are many different ways in which memory may be coupled to system100. Memory 101 may be used for a variety of purposes such as, forexample, caching and/or storing data, programming instructions, and thelike. It should be further appreciated that CPU 102 may be one of avariety of system-on-a-chip (SOC) type hardware that may includeadditional hardware such as memory or graphics processing chips, such asa Qualcomm SNAPDRAGON™ or Samsung EXYNOS™ CPU as are becomingincreasingly common in the art, such as for use in mobile devices orintegrated devices.

As used herein, the term “processor” is not limited merely to thoseintegrated circuits referred to in the art as a processor, a mobileprocessor, or a microprocessor, but broadly refers to a microcontroller,a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, anapplication-specific integrated circuit, and any other programmablecircuit.

In one embodiment, interfaces 110 are provided as network interfacecards (NICs). Generally, NICs control the sending and receiving of datapackets over a computer network; other types of interfaces 110 may forexample support other peripherals used with computing device 100. Amongthe interfaces that may be provided are Ethernet interfaces, frame relayinterfaces, cable interfaces, DSL interfaces, token ring interfaces,graphics interfaces, and the like. In addition, various types ofinterfaces may be provided such as, for example, universal serial bus(USB), Serial, Ethernet, FIREWIRE™, THUNDERBOLT™, PCI, parallel, radiofrequency (RF), BLUETOOTH™, near-field communications (e.g., usingnear-field magnetics), 802.11 (Wi-Fi), frame relay, TCP/IP, ISDN, fastEthernet interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, Serial ATA (SATA) orexternal SATA (eSATA) interfaces, high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI), digital visual interface (DVI), analog or digital audiointerfaces, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) interfaces, high-speedserial interface (HSSI) interfaces, Point of Sale (POS) interfaces,fiber data distributed interfaces (FDDIs), and the like. Generally, suchinterfaces 110 may include physical ports appropriate for communicationwith appropriate media. In some cases, they may also include anindependent processor (such as a dedicated audio or video processor, asis common in the art for high-fidelity A/V hardware interfaces) and, insome instances, volatile and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., RAM).

Although the system shown in FIG. 8 illustrates one specificarchitecture for a computing device 100 for implementing one or more ofthe inventions described herein, it is by no means the only devicearchitecture on which at least a portion of the features and techniquesdescribed herein may be implemented. For example, architectures havingone or any number of processors 103 may be used, and such processors 103may be present in a single device or distributed among any number ofdevices. In one embodiment, single processor 103 handles communicationsas well as routing computations, while in other embodiments a separatededicated communications processor may be provided. In variousembodiments, different types of features or functionalities may beimplemented in a system according to the invention that includes aclient device (such as a tablet device or smartphone running clientsoftware) and server systems (such as a server system described in moredetail below).

Regardless of network device configuration, the system of the presentinvention may employ one or more memories or memory modules (such as,for example, remote memory block 120 and local memory 101) configured tostore data, program instructions for the general-purpose networkoperations, or other information relating to the functionality of theembodiments described herein (or any combinations of the above). Programinstructions may control execution of or comprise an operating systemand/or one or more applications, for example. Memory 120 or memories101, 120 may also be configured to store data structures, configurationdata, encryption data, historical system operations information, or anyother specific or generic non-program information described herein.

Because such information and program instructions may be employed toimplement one or more systems or methods described herein, at least somenetwork device embodiments may include nontransitory machine-readablestorage media, which, for example, may be configured or designed tostore program instructions, state information, and the like forperforming various operations described herein. Examples of suchnontransitory machine-readable storage media include, but are notlimited to, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, andmagnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM disks; magneto-optical mediasuch as optical disks, and hardware devices that are speciallyconfigured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-onlymemory devices (ROM), flash memory (as is common in mobile devices andintegrated systems), solid state drives (SSD) and “hybrid SSD” storagedrives that may combine physical components of solid state and hard diskdrives in a single hardware device (as are becoming increasingly commonin the art with regard to personal computers), memristor memory, randomaccess memory (RAM), and the like. It should be appreciated that suchstorage means may be integral and non-removable (such as RAM hardwaremodules that may be soldered onto a motherboard or otherwise integratedinto an electronic device), or they may be removable such as swappableflash memory modules (such as “thumb drives” or other removable mediadesigned for rapidly exchanging physical storage devices),“hot-swappable” hard disk drives or solid state drives, removableoptical storage discs, or other such removable media, and that suchintegral and removable storage media may be utilized interchangeably.Examples of program instructions include both object code, such as maybe produced by a compiler, machine code, such as may be produced by anassembler or a linker, byte code, such as may be generated by forexample a Java™ compiler and may be executed using a Java virtualmachine or equivalent, or files containing higher level code that may beexecuted by the computer using an interpreter (for example, scriptswritten in Python, Perl, Ruby, Groovy, or any other scripting language).

In some embodiments, systems according to the present invention may beimplemented on a standalone computing system. Referring now to FIG. 9,there is shown a block diagram depicting a typical exemplaryarchitecture of one or more embodiments or components thereof on astandalone computing system. Computing device 200 includes processors210 that may run software that carry out one or more functions orapplications of embodiments of the invention, such as for example aclient application 230. Processors 210 may carry out computinginstructions under control of an operating system 220 such as, forexample, a version of Microsoft's WINDOWS™ operating system, Apple's MacOS/X or iOS operating systems, some variety of the Linux operatingsystem, Google's ANDROID™ operating system, embedded systems, or thelike. In many cases, one or more shared services 225 may be operable insystem 200 and may be useful for providing common services to clientapplications 230. Services 225 may for example be WINDOWS™ services,user-space common services in a Linux environment, or any other type ofcommon service architecture used with operating system 210. Inputdevices 270 may be of any type suitable for receiving user input,including for example a keyboard, touchscreen, microphone (for example,for voice input), mouse, touchpad, trackball, or any combinationthereof. Output devices 260 may be of any type suitable for providingoutput to one or more users, whether remote or local to system 200, andmay include for example one or more screens for visual output, speakers,printers, or any combination thereof. Memory 240 may be random-accessmemory having any structure and architecture known in the art, for useby processors 210, for example to run software. Storage devices 250 maybe any magnetic, optical, mechanical, memristor, or electrical storagedevice for storage of data in digital form (such as those describedabove, referring to FIG. 8). Examples of storage devices 250 includeflash memory, magnetic hard drive, CD-ROM, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, systems of the present invention may be implementedon a distributed computing network, such as one having any number ofclients and/or servers. Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a blockdiagram depicting an exemplary architecture 300 for implementing atleast a portion of a system according to an embodiment of the inventionon a distributed computing network. According to the embodiment, anynumber of clients 330 may be provided. Each client 330 may run softwarefor implementing client-side portions of the present invention; clientsmay comprise a system 200 such as that illustrated in FIG. 9. Inaddition, any number of servers 320 may be provided for handlingrequests received from one or more clients 330. Clients 330 and servers320 may communicate with one another via one or more electronic networks310, which may be in various embodiments any of the Internet, a widearea network, a mobile telephony network (such as CDMA or GSM cellularnetworks), a wireless network (such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, and so forth),or a local area network (or indeed any network topology known in theart; the invention does not prefer any one network topology over anyother). Networks 310 may be implemented using any known networkprotocols, including for example wired and/or wireless protocols.

In addition, in some embodiments, servers 320 may call external services370 when needed to obtain additional information, or to refer toadditional data concerning a particular call. Communications withexternal services 370 may take place, for example, via one or morenetworks 310. In various embodiments, external services 370 may compriseweb-enabled services or functionality related to or installed on thehardware device itself. For example, in an embodiment where clientapplications 230 are implemented on a smartphone or other electronicdevice, client applications 230 may obtain information stored in aserver system 320 in the cloud or on an external service 370 deployed onone or more of a particular enterprise's or user's premises.

In some embodiments of the invention, clients 330 or servers 320 (orboth) may make use of one or more specialized services or appliancesthat may be deployed locally or remotely across one or more networks310. For example, one or more databases 340 may be used or referred toby one or more embodiments of the invention. It should be understood byone having ordinary skill in the art that databases 340 may be arrangedin a wide variety of architectures and using a wide variety of dataaccess and manipulation means. For example, in various embodiments oneor more databases 340 may comprise a relational database system using astructured query language (SQL), while others may comprise analternative data storage technology such as those referred to in the artas “NoSQL” (for example, Hadoop Cassandra™, Google Bigtable™, and soforth). In some embodiments, variant database architectures such ascolumn-oriented databases, in-memory databases, clustered databases,distributed databases, or even flat file data repositories may be usedaccording to the invention. It will be appreciated by one havingordinary skill in the art that any combination of known or futuredatabase technologies may be used as appropriate, unless a specificdatabase technology or a specific arrangement of components is specifiedfor a particular embodiment herein. Moreover, it should be appreciatedthat the term “database” as used herein may refer to a physical databasemachine, a cluster of machines acting as a single database system, or alogical database within an overall database management system. Unless aspecific meaning is specified for a given use of the term “database”, itshould be construed to mean any of these senses of the word, all ofwhich are understood as a plain meaning of the term “database” by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

Similarly, most embodiments of the invention may make use of one or moresecurity systems 360 and configuration systems 350. Security andconfiguration management are common information technology (IT) and webfunctions, and some amount of each are generally associated with any ITor web systems. It should be understood by one having ordinary skill inthe art that any configuration or security subsystems known in the artnow or in the future may be used in conjunction with embodiments of theinvention without limitation, unless a specific security 360 orconfiguration system 350 or approach is specifically required by thedescription of any specific embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary overview of a computer system 400 as may beused in any of the various locations throughout the system. It isexemplary of any computer that may execute code to process data. Variousmodifications and changes may be made to computer system 400 withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the system and methoddisclosed herein. CPU 401 is connected to bus 402, to which bus is alsoconnected memory 403, nonvolatile memory 404, display 407, I/O unit 408,and network interface card (NIC) 413. I/O unit 408 may, typically, beconnected to keyboard 409, pointing device 410, hard disk 412, andreal-time clock 411. NIC 413 connects to network 414, which may be theInternet or a local network, which local network may or may not haveconnections to the Internet. Also shown as part of system 400 is powersupply unit 405 connected, in this example, to ac supply 406. Not shownare batteries that could be present, and many other devices andmodifications that are well known but are not applicable to the specificnovel functions of the current system and method disclosed herein. Itshould be appreciated that some or all components illustrated may becombined, such as in various integrated applications (for example,Qualcomm or Samsung SOC-based devices), or whenever it may beappropriate to combine multiple capabilities or functions into a singlehardware device (for instance, in mobile devices such as smartphones,video game consoles, in-vehicle computer systems such as navigation ormultimedia systems in automobiles, or other integrated hardwaredevices).

In various embodiments, functionality for implementing systems ormethods of the present invention may be distributed among any number ofclient and/or server components. For example, various software modulesmay be implemented for performing various functions in connection withthe present invention, and such modules may be variously implemented torun on server and/or client components.

FIG. 12 is block diagram illustrating a system architecture forprogrammatic control of a compact motorized, height-adjustable desktopfor a motorized standing desk converter, according to a preferredembodiment of the invention. According to the embodiment, controllersystem 1200 comprises one or more processors 401, memory 403, andprogramming instructions, the programming instructions, when executed bythe one or more processors 401, cause the processor to control movementof actuator 8, perform system calculations described herein, interactwith users and user devices 1230, and other functions.

Controller system 1200 further comprises controller 1201 comprisingprogramming instructions that perform system control based oncommunication, via network 310, to one or more sensor inputs from one ormore sensors 1231 a . . . n via sensor interface 1211. In someembodiments, communication is handled through sensor interface 1211 tomanage sensor specific protocols. controller 1201 further communicationswith one or more user devices 1230 to receive system command. requests,and other input from users of system 1200.

Controller system 1200 further comprises scheduler 1202 comprisingprogramming instructions that may perform scheduled system events suchas reading sensor input on a schedule or performing requests such asmovement of actuator 8 on a pre-defined or dynamic schedule (forexample, based on data received from one or more sensors 1231 a . . .n). In some embodiments, scheduler 1202 is connected to an external datasource via external services 1232 (for example to a calendar servicesuch as Microsoft Outlook™ or Google Calendar™, and the like) todetermine system scheduled such as work hours, sit/stand schedules, etc.

Controller system 1200 further comprises metric calculator 1203comprising programming instructions that may perform data correctionssuch as considering elements from sensor readings (for example, objects,such as a chair, on a weight-sensing mat 1231 a, position of subjects indata from ultrasonic sensor 1231 b, and the like) in order to moreaccurately calculate user metrics such as weight, standing/seatedposition, and the like.

Controller system 1200 further comprises condition calculator 1204comprising programming instructions that may use preconfigured ordynamic data to determine a user's condition. Condition calculator mayuse sensor information from one or more sensors 1231 a . . . n (forexample, a glucose meter 1231 c, a body mass indicator sensor 1231 d,power meter 1231 e, oxygen meter 1231 f, etc.) individually, or incombination to establish a user's physical or health condition. in someembodiments, condition calculator may interface to network-connectedhealth application such as Apple™ Health or other fitness and healthapplications on, for example, a user device 1230 or from a web servicevia external services 1232.

Controller system 1200 further comprises user interface 1210 comprisingprogramming instructions to interface with one or more user devices1230. User devices may be a computing device mounted to assembly 5 ormay be a mobile computing device such a s smart phone.

Controller system 1200 further comprises sensor interface 1211comprising programming instructions to interface with one or moresensors 1231 a . . . n. Sensors may comprise a weight-sensing mat 1231a, an ultrasonic sensor 1231 b, a glucose meter 1231 c, a body massindicator sensor 1231 d, power meter 1231 e, oxygen meter 1231 f, andthe like. In some embodiments, at least a portion of sensors 1231 a . .. n may be an Internet of things (IoT) device that provides applicationspecific data, for example, an IoT device connected to piece of exerciseequipment.

Controller system 1200 further comprises user database 1220 comprisingprogramming instructions to store and organize user data for metric andcondition computations as well as for historical review by a user. Itshould be appreciated that user data may be stored in profiles whereby aprofile may exist for each user and/or user device 1230 associated tosystem 1200. User database 1220 may comprise pre-configurations that arepreferences (for example stored positions of actuator 8, and sit/standschedules for particular users of system 1200). in some embodiments,user database 1220 may hold: personal information such as name, emailaddress, phone, avatar, Twitter™ handle, and the like; login credentialssuch as username, password, third-party authorization tokens, and thelike.

Controller system 1200 further comprises system database 1221 comprisingprogramming instructions to hold system preferences and settings. Systemdatabase 1221 may further hold configurations for sensors 1231 a . . . nincluding device capability and paring information.

FIG. 13 is flow diagram illustrating a method for processing sensorinputs for a compact motorized, height-adjustable desktop for amotorized standing desk converter, according to a preferred embodimentof the invention. According to the embodiment, in a first step 1301,system 1200 may launch based on receiving user input from user interface1210 or based on a scheduled start from scheduler 1202. In a next step1302, controller 1201, detects one or more sensors 1231 via sensorinterface 1211 and initiates a paring sequence to receive sensorsettings, information, and share resources. A trusted relationship maybe established between sensors 1231 and controller 1201, via sensorinterface 1211 by using, for example, a numerical password, commonlyreferred to as a passkey. In some embodiments, a preconfigured passkey,for example, stored in system database 1221 and used to connect tosensors that may have been previously configured. In some embodiments, anew sensor may be detected, and a pairing sequence is started by sensorinterface 1211.

In a next step 1303, sensor data may be received by controller 1201, viasensor interface 1211, such as: weight from a weight sensor 1231 a (forexample, from weight sensing or pressure sensing floor mat); computedheight of a user from an ultrasound or ultrasonic sensor 1231 b viasensor interface 1211. It should be appreciated by one with ordinaryskill in the art that ultrasonic sensors are based on measuring theproperties of sound waves with, for example, frequency above the humanaudible range. They are based primarily on three physical principles:time of flight, the Doppler effect, and the attenuation of sound waves.Ultrasonic sensors are non-intrusive in that they do not requirephysical contact with a user and can detect information automaticallyand electronically. In some embodiments, sensor data may be receivedfrom a plurality of sensors such as temperature, humidity, and the like.

In a next step 1304, computations may be made by metric calculator 1203to consider additional items that may have been sensed by sensors 1231 a. . . n (for example, a chair present on the weight-sensing mat) incomputing user metrics, for example, a weight of the chair may besubtracted, by metric calculator 2103, in order to accurately representa user's weight. In some embodiments, metric calculator 1203 may be usedto correct for user height based on a perceived sitting of standingposition from the ultrasonic sensor 1231 b.

In a next step 1305, sensor data may be displayed on output device 260(such as, display monitor 9) for user review of, for example, metricdata whereby user approval may be solicited. In a next step 1306, anindication of user approval may be received, by controller 1201, viauser interface 1210, comprising an approval (or, alternatively anindication not approving) the data sensed by the sensors (for example,weight from a weight sensor, height computer by an ultrasonic sensor, orother sensor readings).

If data received by controller 1201 indicates that a user has notapproved the sensor metrics, in a next step 1307, a request may be sentto a user to, for example, request to re-establish one or more actionsto re-engage a sensor 1231 a . . . n, for example, to step off and stepon again weight sensor 1231 a. Processing returns to step 1303 toreceive a new set of sensor data from one or more sensors 1231 a . . .n.

Alternatively, if an indication of approval is received in step 1306, ina next step 1308, one or more conditions may be computed by conditioncalculator 1204, for example, calculate a user's physical conditionbased on a pre-configured set of rules from user database 1220 todetermine one or more sit and stand periods for the user. Further, oncean indication of approval is received in step 1306, step 1312 may recordsensor data to user database 1220.

In a next step 1309, controller 1201 may request, via sensor interface1211, for an indication of user presence, for example, by an affirmativeweight sensed on weight sensor 1231 a, or, in some embodiments, from apositive reading from ultrasonic sensor 1231 b, or the like. In a nextstep 1310, sensor reading may be stored to user database 1220. In a nextstep 1311, user metrics and computed conditions may be displayed onoutput device 260 (for example, display monitor 9)

It should be noted that in some embodiments, system 1200 and a firstuser device 1230 may execute on the same hardware (i.e. they are thesame device). in other embodiments, they may be more than one devicewith components 1201-1221 executing on different computing hardware.

As these and other variations and combinations of the features discussedabove can be utilized without departing from the invention as defined bythe claims, the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments should betaken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation of theinvention as defined by the claims. It will also be understood that theprovision of examples of the invention (as well as clauses phrased as“such as,” “e.g.”, “including” and the like) should not be interpretedas limiting the invention to the specific examples; rather, the examplesare intended to illustrate only some of many possible aspects.

The skilled person will be aware of a range of possible modifications ofthe various embodiments described above. Accordingly, the presentinvention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motorized, height-adjustable desktop,comprising: a base surface configured to be placed on, or affixed to, aflat surface, or to be attached to a fixed object; a column structurehaving a first end attached to the base surface, wherein the columnstructure is configured to stand from the base surface verticallyrelative to the ground or floor; a moveable bracket configured to movevertically with respect to the column structure under power of anelectric motor; the electric motor attached to the column structure, tothe moveable bracket, or to the base surface, or any combinationthereof, the electric motor configured to move the moveable bracket upthe column structure when the electric motor is operated in onedirection, and down the column structure when the electric motor isoperated in the other direction; and a network connected controllercomputer comprising a memory, at least one processor, and a plurality ofprogramming instructions stored in the memory, the programminginstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:receive data from one or more sensors, the data comprising at least oneor more sit and stand periods associated with a user of the motorized,height-adjustable desktop; calculate a physical condition profile forthe user, based on a pre-configured set of rules obtained by anetwork-connected health application, wherein the physical conditionprofile is based on the one or more sit and stand periods associatedwith the user; create a sit and stand schedule for the user based on thecalculated physical condition profile; and operate the electric motor toadjust the height of the motorized, height-adjustable desktop accordingto the sit and stand schedule.
 2. The motorized, height-adjustabledesktop of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is operable todetect a presence of the user.
 3. The motorized, height-adjustabledesktop of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is operable todetect changes in the position of the user.
 4. The motorized,height-adjustable desktop of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor isoperable to detect a weight associated in the position of the user. 5.The motorized, height-adjustable desktop of claim 1, wherein theprogramming instructions when executed by the processor further causethe processor to connect to an external data source.
 6. The motorized,height-adjustable desktop of claim 5, wherein the programminginstructions when executed by the processor further cause the processorto transmit the sit and stand schedule to the external data source,wherein the external data source is a calendar.
 7. The motorized,height-adjustable desktop of claim 1, wherein the programminginstructions when executed by the processor further cause the processorto store, in a database associated with an online health service, theone or more sit and stand periods for the user.
 8. The motorized,height-adjustable desktop of claim 1, further comprising a hand-operatedswitch control assembly for adjusting the height of the motorized,height-adjustable desktop.
 9. The motorized, height-adjustable desktopof claim 5, wherein the programming instructions when executed by theprocessor further cause the processor to transmit the physical conditionfile to the external data source, wherein the external data source isthe network-connected health application.
 10. The motorized,height-adjustable desktop of claim 1, further comprising a peripheraltray having a flat upper surface, the peripheral tray being attached tothe moveable bracket such that the flat upper surface of the peripheraltray is horizontal relative to the ground or floor, wherein the heightof the peripheral tray and any computer monitors attached to themoveable bracket may be adjusted by operation of the electric motor.